Four Months Later
Pinong Nakorn Village was a beautiful rural community in Phetchaburi District. It was surrounded by thick greenery and full of culture, but was also a very quaint place. It was perfect for their little family, thought Kittichat Khad as he looked out the window of passing trees. Sitting beside him in the driver's seat, was his husband, Thorn and in the back seat, soundly sleeping away, was seven year old Kal. Pinong Nakorn had possibly twenty thousand residents, peaceful hiking trails and held new possibilities for them. When they had first found the Village online while discussing the issue of moving, Kit hadn't been sure about the place.
While he adored nature and preferred the quiet it carried, he had to consider the livelihoods of his family. So, they took a chance two months ago and decided to visit the Village. Pinong Nakorn may be rural, but it had undergone many renovations the past couple years, its roads looked new and the buildings were now of beautiful modern design. Nervous as he had been, he also had Thorn at his side and Kal's hand to hold. They took their time getting a feel of the Town and its surroundings, then went to the local ice cream shop that had a Progress flag pins and mini flags.
This was nice to see, considering they were a married gay couple in Thailand, with a child no less. He had been extremely concerned about the Town's views. The last thing he wanted to do was put Kal in a traumatic experience, yet again. Thorn, though he hid it better than Kit, was also worried. Thorn may be a silent man, but Kit knew him long enough to know when something was bothering him. He became focused, his eyes scanning like that of a panther and his posture erect. He had his arm wrapped about Kit's waist most of their trip or his hand holding Kal's.
When the two found no negative reactions to their blatant relationship, Kit gradually relaxed. The three stayed the night at a local Hotel and when morning came, Thorn dragged him out of bed to surprise him and Kal with a good ten minute trip into the outskirts of Pinong Nakorn. The house Thorn had brought him to was beautiful and the moment Kit had seen it, he had fallen in love. It wasn't modern or extravagant like the houses and condos of Bangkok. Instead it stood out from the green of the forest surrounding it, with its deep, but gentle red bricks and dark window frames. The house had two stories, black fences, a porch and and upper balcony.
Immediately, he knew that this place was meant to be their home. A realtor agent met them a few minutes later and gave them all the information on the house as well as a small tour. She was a kind middle age woman that told them to call her Mama Annan. She immediately adored Kal and though initially a bit surprised by them being a gay couple, she quickly proved herself by being warm and professional. As they walked up the the newly trimmed grass and stone path, she spoke bubbly about the House's history. Apparently it was owned by an older couple that had to move closer to family in Chang Mai.
They were selling the house at a steal of a deal and it had been on the market for over a year. They walked up the few stairs and onto the porch as Mama Annan went on about how the house was only two decades older but when the owners were putting up for sale, they did proper renovations and went through the needed check up on pipes, the roof and floors. The porch was a good size, large enough to put a two piece out door set. Mama Annan opened up the door into the foyer, where there was a cute mudroom and revealed dark floors. A staircase and deep colours with oak accents.
There weren't any bedrooms on the first floor, only space for a library, a powder room, office, the open and spacious kitchen with a breakfast nook. It also had a dining room, a two story grand living room and a sun room with a small spare room, possibly used for laundry. There we're two stairways in total, the second at the small spare room and led up to the master bedroom side of the house. Then the porch was connect to a wrap around porch that led to the back patio which was twice the size of the front porch. On the second floor were the bedrooms, two guest bedrooms and the Master bedroom, then a spare room that could be used for storage or Kal's play room and lastly, the balcony that was almost the same size of the front porch below. After the tour and much discussions with Mama Annan, they finalized the purchase a month later and began the process of moving.
So here they were, on a cool August day driving with the last of their belongings to their new home. Kit felt both excited and nervous, this move wasn't the first they had gone through over the past five years. Kit and Thorn both had an aversion to the crowds of Bangkok and other cities. Kit wanted space and peace to work, grow plants and grow Kal up in a connected place. Having grown up in a small town himself, Kit wanted that life for Kal and th4 safety it brought when everyone knew everyone. Kit was even sure Mama Annan, their realtor had shared with the Pinong Nakorn residents about their moving by now.
Thorn and him had been looking for the right place to settle down in, Pinong Nakorn being their last resort. However, it proved itself worthy. Other towns or villages had rumors of sex and slave trafficking, were homophobic or not accessible, especially when considering Kal. They wanted a place that was connected, updated and safe. Thorn came across the Village when he saw the house for sale and decided to mention it to Kit that night. Both were reluctant to try, considering their past experiences but took the chance, especially considering the price of the house. Thorn, being well, Thorn, did his own research on Pinong Nakorn over the next month.
Thorn was a Police Officer and if he found the slightest thing wrong with the Town, it would be a no no for them. He even called up the Pinong Nakorn Police Department last week as his last security check before they decided to come. He found that the town was a quaint place, barely had any cases, only the occasional dispute over a wandering bull and maybe someone's grandparent passing. Not to mention the town was situated in a district with the lowest crime rate and had a newly appointed young female Congresswoman. Almost a month ago, Kit also took a look at the school system and their school environment.
He called as well and asked about their processing before deciding to enroll Kal into Pinong Nakorn South Primary School. The new school term wouldn't be starting for another six weeks though, so they had time to settle in and properly introduce themselves to the residents. Kit wasn't looking forward to that part of moving. He preferred the company of Kal, his books, food and plants. Thorn always tried to drag him places, especially since Kit had adopted Kal. He loved spending time and going on trips with them, but he was quickly drained of his energy and needed to take charging breaks from public spaces.
Thorn always respected Kit's space, he knew Kit was a hardcore Introvert that sometimes even preferred to be away from even him. That was just Kit and Thorn was always there for him when he needed him again, even if it was to taste test the spicy food that Thorn didn't like but Kal and Kit loved. Kit looked over at Thorn and smiled at his husband as he fiddled with the silver ring on his finger. The older man's dark eyes were focused on the road in front him while his large hands were placed on the wheel, a matching silver band on his finger as well, only difference was his didn't have tiny diamonds in row.
His hair was black, but didn't have a natural shine to it like Kit's and his jawline could cut diamonds. He had a prominent nose and a fierce look about him, not to mention he was taller, but only six feet tall. Thorn had broader shoulders and strong arms that printed through the black turtle neck he wore. He was a large man, but only in muscle. His golden brown skin seemed to glow when sunlight streamed through the window. He was a fine man, a loving husband and a great Papa to Kal. Kit was only some few inches shorter, he was fair and got rosy pink whenever it was cold. Preferred baggy clothes while Thorn liked to see him in those tights that defined his ass-ets.
Thorn hummed, "I can feel you staring, Kit."
"Can't I admire my husband?"
Thorn glanced at him and a tiny grin forms on his lips. He reaches with one hand to take Kit's and brings it up to press a kiss to hand. He doesn't let go and they hold hands the rest of the way to their house. Some minutes later, the charcoal grey Toyota Land Cruiser turns into their driveway. Kit unbuckles himself and turns to look in the back seat. Seven year old Kal is still sleeping away, surrounded by his plush dog, tablet and his bags. There's a bunch more in the trunk but thankfully, they had sent up the rest with movers two weeks ago and Mama Annan confirmed their safe delivery via video chat. Thorn slides out the vehicle and goes around to take out Kal while Kit comes out as well.
"Are you gonna wake him?"
Thorn nods and reaches into the backseat to gently wake the boy up, "I think that's best, we need to unpack and clean up a bit, especially his room first."
Kit silently agrees and takes a look around the quiet vegetation, there are soft sounds of birds and the rustling of the trees. He closes his eyes and takes a big breath. While his adolescence wasn't the best and once he turned 17, he was disowned, his childhood was full of fond memories. Growing up in the country- a rural village- he had always wanted to live somewhere familiar when he got older. Nature seemed to agree with him and he couldn't wait to help Kal thrive here. Kit would make sure Kal continued to have a great childhood and then grow into a capable young man. Kit looked back over at Thorn who had succeeded in waking little Kal.
The boy was assisted out of the car and immediately took Thorn's hand. His chocolate hair was slightly ruffled and hazel brown eyes wide with excitement. Kal hugged his dog plush close and wore a baggy green cardigan with little khaki coloured pants. Thorn and him walked up beside Kit and paused. The three took a moment to look at the house, as if memorising every detail. Kit grinned and took out his phone, Thorn shook his head as if annoyed but lifted Kal to sit under his arm and the boy hugged his Papa's neck. Kit leaned into Thorn and snapped a ton of photos.
He pressed a kiss to Thorn's cheek, snapped again and then switched positions, so Kal was between them, then they both pressed a kiss to a side of Kal's cheek, the boy giggling happily.
"Alright, how about we head in now, yeah?" Thorn says.
Inside the house there are a few changes, namely, the presence of their new furniture. It's set throughout the first ans second floors, not in any particular order, Kit would probably be the one to fix that. They're also covered with cloth to protect them, then there's also boxes all over, of all shapes and sizes. Thankfully, Thorn had been the one to organize them before hand and label them for each room, to make both the movers and their lives easier. Thorn sets Kal down and the boy takes eager steps around. Kit let's Thorn snake and arm around his waist and teasingly sniff his cheek.
"Let's get to work then,"
It was nearing 10 am when they arrived and the three spent some hours unpacking. They started with Kal's room, making his bed and setting up shelves, unpacking books and clothes. Kal's room was the second largest and very bright due to the natural light that shined through the window over and next to his bed. It was also a cream colour, similar to khaki of his pants and Kit decorated it with bookshelves and brown accents. When it neared 1 pm they had successfully completed Kal's room so, they took a break and ate the food Kit had packed this morning. With Kal distracted by his tablet and new room, the couple began working on their own.
The master bedroom was beautiful, but more importantly, it carried a homey feel. Dark oak floors and black accents also carried through the room. There were space for sitting area few feet away from the bed that had an arched wide window and a cushion nook. Double ebony doors that opened onto their private balcony, a his and hers- now also his- closet and the master bathroom. The bathroom held up a lot of the dark colours of the rest of the house, deep tile floors, a walk in shower and a huge, rectangular mirror with grey vanities.
Kit was left in charge of finishing their room, while Thorn went to start down stairs.
Kit dug through box after box and suitcase after suitcase, putting away their stuff and adding the finishing touches to make their room, well theirs. He dusted the room and passed a quick vacuum. The bed was made and the curtains set up, the lamps and bedside tables positioned and their closets were almost filled. He was now going through the last box, that had a few of their framed photos safely packaged. One such photo was of little Kal, when he was only two and had now come into Kit's life. It always made him wonder if his sister would be happy to know how well Kal was doing. Sometimes he couldn't believe that she was gone.
Kit hadn't seen his sister in almost a decade only to find out she was dead from a drunk driver accident back in the United States. Kit and Thorn had to take the quickest flight to the United States or else his sister's son- his nephew- would end up on the American System. They met the Private Investigator King, who tried to answer most of the questions he had. Apparently, she started looking for him in the US years ago, but didn't know that he had moved back to Thailand.
It sat in the box beside the the framed photos, he would put it beside his bed or on one of the shelves as he regularly liked rereading it. In it, it told him almost everything he needed to know about his sister, her family and what happened. She had tried to find him on her own when she realised that their parents had disowned him, but had come up empty handed. Possibly because Kit had changed his last name from Khadpho to simply Khad when he turned eighteen and a very private person. He went by a pseudonym when Writing and didn't have much friends or stayed connected with family.
Kannika talks about how she misses him in her journal and how much she wishes she had been for him. She documents her journey with love and how their parents didn't want anything to do with her since she married an American man. She ranted about that, especially considering how they were third mixed. She wished he was there to walk her down the isle and when she found out she was pregnant. She had still loved him dearly and was even willing to let him have his own life after everything that had happened with their family. Kit rereads the journal every few months and had even read a page to Kal once.
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